Fire-escape



(No Model.)

J. H. BOWLEY.

FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 298,725. Pat entedMay 20, 1884.

N, PETERS. Fhew-Lnha n hw. Wishinglon. D. c.

JOSEPH HENRY BOWVLEY, OF MARENOO, ILLINOIS.

Fl RE ESGAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 298,725, dated May 20, 1884.

' Application filed February 16, 1884. (No model.)

To (ZZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JosEPH HENRY BOWLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Marengo, in the county of McHenry and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Fire- Escape, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to fire-escapes, and more particularly to that class known as flexible ladders; and it has for its object to provide a device of this character which shall possess superior advantages in point of simplicity, durability, and general efiiciency.

The invention consists in the improved con struction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described,a-nd pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front view of my device applied. Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the box or casing, and Fig. 3 is a detail view in perspective of a portion of the improved ladder.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like letters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several figures, A represents a boX or casing, which is preferably made quadrantal in shape. This box or casing A is designed to be permanently secured to the side of a house,adjacent to the windows there of, and is provided at its lower front end or corner with a slot, at, through which passes the ladder when the same is unwound. A roller, 13, is situated in this slot, its ends bearing in the side of the casing, thus allowing a free movement to the ladder when unwound, and thoroughly preventing the same from becoming'caught.

WVithin the casing A is mounted a shaft, 0, which has bearing in the sides of said casing. One end of this shaft projects beyond the easing sufficiently to receive a crankor handle, E, for turning the same.

F represents my improved ladder, which is secured at its upper end to the shaft D, and is adapted to be wound thereon. This ladder E consists of the side ropes, G, which are provided at suitable distances along their length with cross pieces or rounds H, which are looped at their ends, as shown, the side ropes of the ladder being secured within these loops. These rounds or strips are preferably constructed of thin metal rods, and are provided at about the center of their length with eyes or loops b, through which passes a central rope, 0, the same being knotted or secured at each loop of the rounds. Thus it will be seen that the ladder is greatly strengthened and braced and the liability of the ladder to sag in the center, as is usually the case, is obviated. At the lower end of the ladder is provided a handle, which is provided with a bail or loop, I, which may be grasped to firmly hold the ladder when descent is being accomplished.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that by the use of my improvement an escape from a burning building may be readily and quickly effected, and that the central rope provides against any sagging of the ladder and holds the same firm and secure.

Havingfully described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with a suitable boX or casing provided with a shaft having bearing in the sides thereof, of a ladder consisting of the side ropes, G, and central rope, c, and rounds or rods bent at their center and ends to form loops, said ropes being secured in said loops by first passing the ropes through the loops, back under, and then over the round, and then passing the rope through the turnedunder portion of the same, substantially as shown.

2. The herein-described flexible ladder consisting of the side ropes and central rope and rounds formed at their center and ends with loops, said ropes being secured in said loops, substantially as shown, and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH HENRY BOWVLEY.

WVitncsses:

M. A. WEBB, S. L. JOHNSON. 

